Now that their strike is nearly a week old, some Oakland teachers like Lee are beginning to realize, this may not be over anytime soon.

"We're here at the rally supporting one another, but we're kind of ready for it to end," said Lee as she stood among hundreds of other teachers at a rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza, "but I'm in it-- until it ends."

Some may be getting weary, but there's no wavering it seems in their energy and commitment to the cause.

"I expected a hard fight and I think we're ready to fight and be here until we win and see the results that we need," said teacher Shula Bien.

The rally at Oakland City Hall became a march as hundreds walked to the Elihu Harris State Office Building, where negotiations are ongoing between the Oakland Education Association and the Oakland Unified School District.

"Certainly, the fact that we're talking in the wee hours of the night. That's encouraging," said OUSD spokesman John Sasaki. "So we're hopeful."

The teachers want a 12 percent raise over three years. The district is offering a two-percent bonus, plus eight-percent over four years.